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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jonathan Coles

Huskies 'ran home to raise alarm' after owner was shot dead in Plymouth attack

The family of one of the Plymouth gunman's victims were alerted to his body after his beloved Husky dogs ran back to his home, reports say.

Stephen Washington, 59, was killed by Jake Davison, 22, during his terrifying rampage around the Keyham area of Plymouth on Thursday.

Sophie Martyn, three, Lee Martyn, 43, the shooter's mum Maxine Davison, 51, also known as Maxine Chapman, and Kate Shepherd, 66, were all also gunned down.

It is believed that Mr Washington was out walking his two dogs along a tree-lined path past homes on Biddick Drive when he was killed, reports the MailOnline.

Have you been affected by the incident in Plymouth? Did you witness anything? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

Davison killed five people before turning the gun on himself (Jake Davison / Reddit SWNS)

Local Mike Moore told the publication that the Huskies then ran back to Mr Washington's home - "and that’s when the family became concerned".

"Stephen was well known around here because he was always out with his beautiful dogs," he said.

"He wasn't friends with Jake and there's nothing connecting them so we think it was completely random."

Warped killer Davison injured two other people during the attack before turning the weapon - described as a "pump-action shotgun" by eyewitnesses - on himself.

Police had suspended his firearms licence, which he had held since 2018, in December last year over his suitability to hold a weapon, but gave it back to him last month.

A probe has now been launched into the circumstances around the reissuing of the firearm, amid claims Davison's mum begged authorities to help with his mental health.

His social media activity will also form a key part of the probe into the massacre as officers attempt to establish a motive for the attack.

His interactions online reveal Davison had spiralled into the depths of the angry 'incel'- involuntarily celibate - online community, where he was an active member.

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A vigil was held for the victims on Friday (PA)

He complained about his lack of success of women, labelled himself ugly, and spewed misogynistic rants on platforms including YouTube and Reddit.

The killer also only spoke about his mother negatively in the lead-up to his deadly spree, calling her “abusive”, “disgusting” and “vile”.

His posts laid bare his interest in guns, America, and bodybuilding attempts in a bid to make himself more attractive to women.

Davison brought up his mother on several occasions in different Reddit posts while complaining about the state of his life.

In one post, from a few months ago, he spoke of living in a “council/government house” and not having to anyone to interact with apart from his “vile mother”.

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